Chongqing launches a project to develop low-orbit satellite mobile communication system at Macro Net Communication Co. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

Southwest China's Chongqing municipality and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) launched a project to develop a low-orbit satellite mobile communication system on Dec 16 in Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area.

The agreement to develop the system was signed during the 2018 Smart China Expo with a first stage investment of 20 billion yuan ($2.85 billion). When finished, the system will provide mobile communication, internet of things, enhanced navigation and broadband internet all over the world.

The construction of the system attracted high-end talents to Liangjiang, and is expected to bring more related upstream and downstream industries, which will create an open, integrated and win-win internet economic ecosystem.

The system will be developed and operated by Macro Net Communication Co, which was co-established by CASC, China Telecom, China Electronics Corporation and China Reform Holdings Corporation with 2 billion yuan in 2018.

The company successfully launched its first test satellite in 2018 and plans two more in July 2020. The satellites will help to realize the in orbit verification of the communication system.